Arkansas County gets over $40K in turnback funds

The funds stem from the redemption and sale of tax delinquent properties certified to the Commissioner of State Lands office.

By Sarah Morris, reporter3@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston presented a $42,981.99 check for Arkansas County’s 2011 turn back funds to Arkansas County officials on Monday.

The funds stem from the redemption and sale of tax delinquent properties certified to the Commissioner of State Lands office.

“Once properties are redeemed by the original owner or sold at public auction, the funds collected are forwarded to the county, where the property is located, one year after the collection date,” Thurston said.

Thurston’s office works diligently to collect this important source of revenue on delinquent parcels. Thurston said, “property taxes play a vital role in the stability of county revenues.

“Public schools and county services depend on real estate tax dollars to aid in funding their programs,” Thurston said. “Without these funds our communities may miss out on essential programs and growth.”

The commissioner’s office works with county officials in all 75 counties to ensure collection of property taxes.

“Our county officials are the boots on the ground workers in this process,” Thurston said. “We appreciate all that they do and we would not have collected these turn back amounts without working hand in hand with them on a daily basis.”

In total, Arkansas counties received $20.4 million from delinquent tax collections last year. Thurston reminds the public that the deadline to pay property taxes is approaching.

2011 personal and real property taxes are due on Monday, Oct. 15. If not paid on time, late penalties will be added to the total amount due.